I started at Laurelwood two days before the kids arrived back. I felt like a new student, walking halls that were unfamiliar to me, and eyeing up the staff to see whom I would have to avoid, and who could potentially be a friend.

The teaching staff seemed nice enough, my team were the support staff and the counselling squad. No, truly, that's what they called themselves. I never in my life had wanted to be part of a squad, not a squad of athletes, of cheerleaders, of gangs, of police, or of power rangers or serial killers, and I sure as hell wished I didn't have to start now. The squad was a foursome, a little like the elements, fire, water, earth and air. Judy was the earth mother, she was a mature lady, who was calm and kind. I could see how kids would be drawn to her, to feel safe and heard. She was a dream emotional support counsellor. Leo was fire, he worked mostly with the athletes, he was a little more intense, and had a "You can do this, and you will" attitude. I wasn't sure how helpful that was, but apparently the teen boys at the school liked him, and it seemed to work. Christine was Water, everyone needed her to survive the day, and she filtered through the entire team. She prepared teaching materials, assisted the kids with educational support such as college applications and scholarships. She even did the drugs and alcohol prevention programmes. Poor Christine did the lions share. That just leaves me, Air, because you know I'm there, you need me to be present, but you can't see me. I didn't wonder the school halls and interact with the majority of the kids, and I didn't particularly want to be in the thick of it with them either. I avoided recess and the lunch hall duties like the plague. I had an office that was tucked away behind the nurses station, the nurse being Maggie, a newly qualified nurse, and fresh out of school. She was the new pin up for teens all over this school, teen boys and baby gays with raging hormones. Maggie and I were both in our early twenties, but we didn't have much in common. She was engaged to a resident at the hospital she had trained in, completely straight, and loved her man. She spoke a-lot about her Pinterest page, and how she wanted her dream wedding and her dream house. She reminded me of a nineteen fifties house wife. She was sweet though, so I couldn't dislike her if I tried.

My job role was more office based, because I worked with the kids who were needing more support with their behaviour. In my day, we called them the little shits. They were the kids who disrupted classes, graffitied school property, sold drugs in the hallways, bullied others, and basically were always outside the principles office. Well, not in this school. In Laurelwood, they were sent to me.

Joe, the principle, he seemed too nice for the job at hand. It was something I noticed about him instantly, how he wanted to please people. I had a feeling most kids could walk all over him, which is probably why I'm here. Luckily for Joe, I don't mind playing bad cop. Joe resembled a potato you forgot about in the kitchen, discovering it weeks later with spiky white bits sticking out the top of it, and a green manky hue to its skin. I hate to call Joe a potato, because he was so kind and gentle, but if everyone has a double out there... Joe's was a Russet spud. He was early forties with spiky white hair, clearly being a principle had aged the poor fella. When I compared how Joe looked, compared to Avery the other day, phew, night and day. Forty to some is sixty to others.

I spent two days reading kids files, and notes left by the dear lady who had gone on maternity leave. I was not surprised when I opened up the third file, to find a little picture of Olympia Nomikos, and a list as long as an A4 piece of paper of "incidents" she had been to the office for in the previous school year.

If it wasn't for student confidentiality, I would ring Wren about some of this instantly, and ask her if her parents told her half of it. I did not know Olympia had done half of this stuff, and I must admit, as I read her file, I leant back in my office chair, lifted my heels up on the desk and I read it all like a novel, completely engrossed. I shouldn't laugh, at some of her escapades, but I did find myself doing just that. She was a little menace.

Olympia would soon see me more than I saw Wren, because for the next six months, she would be my most frequent visitor.

***
College had already started, but I had been given a few days grace to go to California for the small camp. I had traveled with Clark, Millie had dropped us both at the airport and made sure she gave me the type of kiss goodbye that made you want to rush to get back home.

"She's so hot" Clark had drooled, as we walked into the terminal. "I wish I met her first"

I shook my head and nudged her "You have your own little fan club Beaton. Don't come for mine"

"Talking of hotties" Clark brought up as we handed over our passports at the check in "Whose Cameron's new girl. She's a little naughty"

I thought to Camilla and Cam. They had been at Vedas Party and left early without even saying goodbye to us. My Mom said he had said goodbye to her, and to tell us he was leaving, but it wasn't like him to dip out without telling me. I didn't want to look into it to much, because I worried if I did, I wouldn't like what I found. I didn't like Camilla, she seemed a little controlling, and if you asked me she used the fact Cameron was besotted with her to pull his strings. I knew it was a fresh relationship, and he was in love, and so I would give him the benefit of the doubt. We all get a little stupid when we fall in love. I just didn't expect Cam to go off radar quite so dramatically. He hadn't even text me this morning to wish me luck for Camp. When Cameron was with Camilla, we all knew it, because his phone ceased to exist, and his location was turned off. Luckily for me, I had psychology with him, so he couldn't ever go too long without seeing me.

"Camilla. Yes she's pretty" I reply, whispering under my breath "Pretty awful" and I take my passport and ticket, following Clark to our gate.

***
The national team headquarters were vast, and you could get a little lost in both the location and the daily cycle. It was brutal, training early morning to late evening, drills, talks, and team link ups. We were always being watched and observed, and it was explained that only a couple players this weekend would even be selected to train officially in January with the Under Twenty three women's team.

I worked my hardest that weekend, and I didn't even get a half hour of time to speak with Clark again before our flight back home. Clark was picked, one of only four. I was so excited for her to make the youth team, and she would be attending the January Camp with all the other officially named squad. I, however, didn't make it. One of the toughest positions to compete for is striker, it's an important role, and there is always plenty of competition for it. With elite athletes and those who play the leagues, it will mostly always come down to how you play on the day, because there wasn't a lot between us, ability wise, we could all perform the job to a high degree of accuracy, or we wouldn't even be playing this role in College or school.

I was disappointed, and my body ached on the flight back home, but i wouldn't let this define me, and if anything, it had only made me want it more. I could now go back to the O and focus on my team there, and make this season one to remember.

Millie's text, on the way home, made me smile.

M- You are always my number one, baby. Come home and let me loosen those muscles for ya 😉😉 There is always next year. How amazing to even make the camp. I'm so proud of you 🤩😌🤗 See you Friday for our date, but call me when you get in and tell me all about it okay?! I love you Wren. I'm so lucky that I get to have you on my team. Millie x 💕

M- P.S Kate is due any moment now, to deliver Norman. Wish me and Veda luck 🤞🏻😬👹🐈 (throws holy water over the guest house) 😅

W- Save some. By the time I get my hands on you Millie Dawson... you're gonna need to douse me in Holy water too 😈😜💕 LOVE YOU!